My journey with Forest Fairies Sweet Company began in my home kitchen, fuelled by a passion for crafting exceptional sweets and chocolates. Starting from humble beginnings, we've grown into a 100% women-owned ISO 22000 certified manufacturing facility. Our commitment to quality, food safety and innovation remains unwavering, ensuring that each treat brings joy to our customers' lives. Implementing food safety measures was initially daunting but achieving ISO 22000 certification transformed our practices. Now, audits and training sessions are opportunities for growth, reinforcing our dedication to delivering safe, high-quality treats. Developing our food safety management system taught us the importance of structure, compliance, and risk management. By implementing control measures and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we've enhanced our reputation as a trusted provider of safe, high-quality products. This has not only bolstered customer confidence but has also opened doors to new opportunities and partnerships, ultimately benefiting our business's success and sustainability. As for words of wisdom for micro/ small businesses, I would say: stay resilient, stay focused on your vision, and never underestimate the power of perseverance. In the face of challenges, let determination and passion drive you forward, and always be open to learning and adapting along the way. Success may not come overnight, but with dedication and hard work, your dreams can become a reality, I’m proof of that.

GUDGU is a proudly South African company, based in the Western Cape, that manufactures healthy sugar-free cordial concentrates without that awful aftertaste. Our products are hand-made, the traditional way, packed with flavour, and contain only the best quality ingredients. The healthy way is here to stay and our brand has a following that will bring feet to your store.GUDGU holds an ISO22000 International Food Health & Safety Certification with state-of-the-art hygiene and traceability systems in place, which opens doors and new business opportunities. Get your Food Safety Certification first. It's very important. With your food safety in place, one can rest assured that your business, customers and retailers are safe from any harmful manufacturing procedures and fake or dodgy raw materials you may use in manufacturing. GUDGU instantly handles all inquiries or complaints in-house.

PearlB is a brand developed by Innovative Bold Concepts (Pty) Ltd, specialising in innovative health products that are not only good for you but taste good as well. PearlB was founded by Bertie Hechter and Siphokazi Pearl Vokwana in 2017 in sunny South Africa. PearlB aims to offer health-conscious consumers delicious alternatives. Through our exploration of alternative health food products, we recognized the potential of wheatgrass juice for its numerous benefits. However, fresh wheatgrass juice often lacks palatability and has a limited shelf life. Our goal was to create a wheatgrass juice tailored to health-conscious consumers, featuring a delicious taste and convenient packaging for easy transportation and storage, all while ensuring a long shelf life. Our advice to micro/small businesses is: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, be money wise, and most importantly to have unlimited faith in oneself.

It all began in our Soweto kitchen. Struggling to find a tasty soya mince for the church soup kitchen, we made it our mission to enhance the recipe. In 2020, a lightbulb moment led to the idea of cooking and canning our product, providing an easy-to-store, economical, and convenient option that retains the hearty, meaty taste of a home-cooked dinner. Thus, Karisa Foods was born. At Karisa Foods, our team are on high alert and hold each other accountable because we understand how a small mistake, ignorance, or cutting corners may cause loss of life in the communities we serve. The SSDP is a great platform for micro/ small food businesses because they walk with you to your food safety destination. The team is supportive, friendly and easy to connect with. The website is a great resource centre, you can tap into to self-educate, learn, and even start implementing your FSMS by yourself. My advice to micro/ small businesses is that you can have the world’s greatest product but without food safety, you can't win. Food Retailers are in the business of supplying safe food products to their consumers, a food safety certification gives them confidence that you align with their mission.

Castle Cold Meats (CCM) started its journey 2017 in Newcastle KZN, as a small meat processing plant. Our products were sold mainly to private shops, with Utrecht SPAR being the first corporate client. The basic food safety principles were applied during production, without any specific Food Safety certification.

During 2019 we moved our factory to Vryheid KZN, focusing more on Food Safety and recently joined the SPAR Supplier Development Programme. To date we have obtained our business license, COA for the factory, and the refrigerated trucks. We have enrolled in the R638 requirement and are currently waiting for an audit date from NRCS.

Our staff form a vital part of our journey and was made aware of the new Food Safety system and the positive impact it has on product and personnel safety. This left all staff very positive and have given them additional insight around the importance of checks / tests to be done as well as continuous monitoring of personal hygiene. At Castle Cold Meats we believe that once the system is in full operations, it will have a major impact on our quality and sales.

The SPAR Supplier Development Programme has the ability to enhance your business Food Safety, if you apply all the regulations, it may enable you to grow your market share annually and build better business opportunities.

With the goal of ending starvation, the idea of Curry Delhi began. I started the business at the age of 17 in my parent's garage, 11 years later, we are an FSSC 22000 accredited company based in 12 locations in Gauteng. Implementing a food safety management system has helped me with customer satisfaction, stock levels and has reduced losses due to wastage. Additionally, it gives me peace of mind that my customers are receiving safe and quality products every time!

SPAR has been the first retailer to help me understand the world of retail. Each SPAR that I have dealt with has taught me more and more about the industry. The staff, managers and owners are always friendly and accommodating. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to supply SPAR.

Our operating division, "Magic Island Sauces" was created to address the lack of healthy condiment choices in a stagnant and generally boring category. Our aim is to offer a fresh and vibrant brand that focuses on the healthier option condiment.- "Less sugar, Less salt, No artificial colourants or preservatives". In today's informed age of transparency and accountability, it is critical for any food manufacturing organisation to have a fully implemented Food Safety Management System, which is reviewed and updated regularly. Being able to be transparent as to ingredients, and manufacturing processes coupled with unquestionable Food Safety Management System, gives the customer confidence and trust in a brand. SPAR has been supportive and was the first retail group to list Magic Island Sauces.

We have been impressed with the SSDP, it streaks ahead of other retail groups with similar programmes. Our advice for future entrepreneurs in South Africa is to ensure that from the offset, food safety policies are an integral part of the business model. This is vital for the brand's acceptability in the market and in customers’ faith and trust in the product.

So Scrumptious has been supplying SPAR stores since 2015. Starting off as an entrepreneur in the food industry is rather daunting! Trying to find all the relevant requirements takes time and effort. SPAR have streamlined this with their SPAR Supplier Development Programme, I would recommend that any Entrepreneur wishing to supply SPAR signs up for the SPAR Supplier Development Programme. It lays out the process, which is required step by step from compliance, food safety to labelling and takes so many headaches off your plate. It also offers evaluation, an info hub which has relevant and interesting articles, frequently asked questions and a Market Place where, once compliant your product will be opened up to all SPAR stores nationally.

My cooking journey started as a passion for food with much encouragement from friends and family which led to registering as a business in 2018. Since then, I've qualified as professional chef in 2022 and with my background qualification in Microbiology & Cellular Biology and vast experience in aseptic techniques, I immediately employed safety regulations in the kitchen from the word go. These daily habits served my business well during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I still recognized the need to further explore what is expected from industry / retail stores and this led me to SPAR Supplier Development Programme (SSDP).

The SSDP has me and my staff so much insight into a range of information specifically around packaging and labelling legislation. It has also provided me with necessary guidance and served as a middleman between the business and consumer and consumer needs which ultimately eliminates additional work / research that would have needed to be done on top of our daily operations.

Having guidelines and management systems in place, enables my business and team to work more effectively and efficiently. SPAR has made my vision into a reality.

For entrepreneurs in South Africa, it is a difficult journey and getting out of your comfort zone is uncomfortable but it's about taking risks and believing in yourself, your vision and business even if nobody else sees it yet, but it is all worth it including the failures and setbacks and definitely the success.

The Sauce Queen is based in Cape Town and has an FSSC 22000 and halaal certificate and compliant with all regulatory and mandatory food safety management systems. The first BBBEE Level 1 Accredited and Majority Black Female Owned Sauce Manufacturer in South Africa.

The Sauce Queen's Smokey BBQ Sauce is spicy, smokey, and is everything else you would expect from a great sauce. The Smokey BBQ Sauce is our first product in the sauce market and is quickly becoming the favoured Smokey BBQ Sauce in the Western Cape. It is smooth, spoonable, pourable, dunkable, brushable and bastable; this barbecue sauce is everything a great barbecue sauce should be. Made with high-quality ingredients, the business started in 2022 and grew quickly due to product demand. This has been greatly influenced by being food safety compliant. Having an effective Food Safety Management System enhances your reputation, giving your customers confidence in your product. In addition, it contributes to food security, human health, economic prosperity, sustainable development and gives assurance that your product is safe for consumption. The Sauce Queen is Serious About Food Safety and believes that food safety is everyone's business. To upcoming micro/ small businesses, start by identifying the gap in the market that you are passionate about. This will help you stay motivated and focused as you develop your business idea.

Born from a passion for high-quality Mediterranean dips and a desire to fill a gap in the market, the TMK Foods business journey began in 2010 with our mom and dad producing out of their home kitchen. In 2019, the three sons Alexandros, Michael and Angelo stepped in to take the family business to new heights.

Despite our limited knowledge of food safety at the time, we made it a priority and found a valuable partner in Entecom. With their guidance, we began implementing a Food Safety Management System from mid-2022 that has transformed our business for the better. Our workflow is now more efficient, our products are safer, and our customers are happier. We’ve learned that a committed and steadfast approach is the key to a successful food safety management system.

The SPAR Supplier Development Programme has been a game-changer for us, highlighting the vital role of food safety in our success. We've made improvements in every aspect of our operation, from better housekeeping to minimised risks, and the results have been undeniable as the programme has led to a lower return rate and better shelf life.

For any micro or small business just starting out, I highly recommend developing a structured approach and building a dedicated team from the beginning. There will be challenges but stay positive and focus on creating a quality product that will make your customers smile. For us, SPAR has been the perfect partner in helping us reach those customers and we can see a bright future with a national footprint.

My journey started back in 2010 when I realised that my idea "to enable anyone to cook an authentic Durban curry" was born. I started sharing my curry braise with a few friends, which then went viral with orders rushing in! At that point I was overwhelmed by the responses and started to take this idea even further. I began packaging in plastic tubs, to plastic bottles and finally to glass. It has been a long journey, and although I am not where I should be in terms of business growth, I am grateful that my products are still one of its kind, still original and still supported. I am currently on the journey of having a fully complaint Food Safety Management System.

My perspective on Food Safety has been maintained and further supported by the incredible openness and support I have been given from the SPAR Group. I have met with the assigned Food Safety consultants and discussed my next step and further inroads I need to make. I would urge other businesses to sign up for the programme for noteworthy advice on a journey not often unpacked according to the Food Safety standards expected from small businesses in South Africa.

Gaining entry into the Food business can be quite daunting for anyone hoping to reach the Food Safety standards that are expected. The SPAR Supplier Development Programme considers the little guy, and that says a lot about the empathy put into this initiative. My advice would be to have a nest-egg ready to invest in Food Safety, it is the ultimate stepping stone for the success of a food supplier.

Matomani is a proudly South African healthy food company using the local superfood, mopani caterpillars to provide consumers with a sustainable, low-impact, organic, healthy, and protein-rich diet. Mopani contains roughly 60% protein and are rich in iron, calcium and phosphorus making them a healthy protein alternative. Our range consists of protein bars, cracker biscuits, protein powder, and mopanis. Presently, we are outsourcing our production to a fully accredited food safety facility. This allows us to generate an income, and grow our business while having shelf-ready compliant products.

Our next steps are to move into our own facility and start our own production, while utilizing all aspects of the SSDP. The guidance, support and expertise offered by the programme solves a massive challenge for our team. The programme adds meaningful contributions to the growth of micro/ small businesses. To future entrepreneurs, just start your business, put your ideas into action. To current entrepreneurs, keep going, persevere, be patient, and continue to build your business… Success is inevitable.